Culture, Health and Wellbeing in Torbay
Since our inception Torbay Culture has worked with partners to enable and encourage new ways of working to support health and wellbeing through participation in culture and creative practice. This has included a range of different projects across the bay. More about these areas of work can be found under the Changing Lives section.
A significant programme was Arts on Referral, delivered during 2016-18 by a range of creative practitioners and organisations, colleagues from the NHS and care sector, and supported with investment from The Health Foundation, Arts Council England and others. The report Connections Between Culture, Health and Wellbeing in Torbay, 2020 includes detailed evaluation and analysis of those activities, as well as explaining developments impacting this field over recent years, a summary of policy changes, and updated information relating to the culture, health and wellbeing agenda in Torbay.
Accompanying the evaluation we have published a set of four case studies, which summarise the findings from the programme:
Children and Young People’s Mental Health and Wellbeing
Arts and Older People’s Mental Health
Singing and Respiratory Conditions
This is an important part of our work, and is especially resonant here in Torbay. We will be continuing to support this area in the future, in partnership with colleagues.
(image credit: ‘Happy Clay’ made at St Cuthbert Mayne secondary school with artists Gaby Lovatt and Sara Hurley. This was part of exploring ‘story worlds’ to support young people when they are facing challenges in life).
